I. Literal level analysis
A. The poem
I Could Not See Pleasure
By Maria Porges
I could not see pleasure
But only dark sorrow
In living alone
From today to tomorrow
To wind wool alone
Share laughter with walls,
Is hard to accomplish
From winter to fall
And to fry one chop
Bake one potato
Lock two doors
Slice one tomato
Turn out the light
Sleep cold-alone
And wake cheerless in silence
With only the moan
Of wind to keep you---
I would not live.
I fade in quiet,
In darkness, in dryness,
in unnourished earth
without kisses and kindness---
I could not see pleasure
But only dark sorrow
In living alone
From today to tomorrow
